Artist&#39;s palette



Nov. 14, 1967 H. K. LINGER ARTIST'S PALETTE f5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 27, 1966 Attorney Inventor Harrison K. Linger eymamw OODOQOOMQWQ ,llllllllllillll ...l

Nov. 14, 1967 H. K. LINGER ARTIST'S PALETTE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ll 20 2| 2225i? Filed 001;. 27, 1966 lnvenror Harrison K. Linger y RMMbQ-&/

Arrorney United States Patent 3,352,616 ARTISTS PALETTE Harrison K. Linger, 7412 Springvale Drive, Louisville, Ky. 40222 Filed Oct. 27, 1966, Ser. No. 589,922 27 Claims. (Cl. 312-231) This invention relates generally to an artists palette, and, more particularly, to an improved combination palette and carrying case therefor.

Heretofore, artists have customarily utilized, in their work, paint cases or boxes provided with a handle, in which they may carry from place to place their palettes, tubes of paints, brushes, and various other implements peculiar to their profession, such as paletter knives, etc. I have found that in classroom situations, and when painting outdoors or on location, the painter is often faced with an inevitable loss of materials, since the present palette cases do not provide adequate means for protecting the paint or other materials that have been placed on the palette for use, and which materials have not been entirely used during the particular Work period.

Generally, in these situations, it is necessary to remove the materials from the surface of the palette before returning the palette to the box for storage. These partially used paints, which are normally spread over a large portion of the surface of the palette, represent a loss to the artist, and, because they are relatively expensive materials, it is economical to protect them from drying out or otherwise deteriorating due to exposure.

I am aware of those devices wherein, to retard the drying out process, a hermeticaly sealed compartment is made available by disposing the palette within a box and closing the cover thereover. One such device is illustrated by Dumas, Patent No. 2,515,703. In that patent, a painters box is disclosed wherein the palette is adapted to be stored within the carrying box. The cover of the box has a seal around the inner periphery thereof, whereupon closing the cover over the palette, a hermetic chamber is formed between the top of the palette and the cover of the box, thereby retarding the drying out of the materials still on the palette.

While this patentee has provided what appears at first to be a useful device, it is not entirely satisfactory, in that the hermetic chamber of Dumas is only created by removing the palette from use; to once again use the palette, it is necessary to open the cover, which thereby destroys the effectiveness of the seal. It is often the case that the artist, when attending a series of classroom sessions, will be called upon to use different materials during the course of the day, or from day to day. Thus, besides the need for a device wherein the materials on the palette may be effectively stored for certain intervals of time, it may also be desirable to continue to use the palette for painting or other purposes. In a situation such as this, the painters box of Dumas is of little utility.

In addition to the foregoing need to provide a device for effectively storing the palette so that the materials thereon will not dry out and yet still permit the painter to use the palette, it is also desirable to provide some means for positioning the palette at a suitable elevation for use. A number of devices are available wherein the painters box is convertible into an easel, and legs are provided along with the box to position it above the ground, thus reducing the amount of equipment that the painter will have to bring with him. However, little has been done in the way of providing a palette and case therefor wherein the case may be satisfactorily disposed on a fixed table, or wherein removable legs are provided so that the palette and case may be converted to a small table for use by the artist.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of my invention to provide an improved artists palette and case therefor that will satisfy all of the foregoing criteria.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved artists palette and case therefor in which the palette is adapted to be carried by the case in a manner that provides a hermetically sealed chamber, whereby the paint remaining on the surface of the palette need not be removed prior to storing the palette in the case, and wherein the paint so remaining on the surface will be efiectively prevented from drying out.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved combination reversible palette and palette case that will effectively provide a hermetic compartment for one surface of the palette, and wherein the opposite surface of the palette is readily accesible for use by the artist, thereby doubling the effective surface area and utility of the palette.

It is yet another object of my invention to provide a combination reversible palette and receptacle case therefor, in which the reversible palette may be used with different art mediums without the necessity of cleaning the palette prior to storage and use on the reverse side thereof, and wherein the materials left on the stored surface of the palette are disposed in an air-tight chamber that retards the drying out and deterioration of the paints left thereon.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a cover for the palette and case, the cover being usable with either side of the palette, and wherein the cover is adapted to be conveniently stored between the palette and case when the palette is being used.

Still another object of my invention is to provide removable legs with the palette case, the case having a compartment therein for storing the legs when not in use, and wherein means is provided on the case for securing the legs thereto, whereby the palette case may be set up as a table.

It is still another object of my invention to provide means on the case for holding paint brushes and tools in the most convenient position for use by the artist.

It is yet a further object of my invention to provide all of the foregoing in a device that is compact, lightweight and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

In accordance with one aspect of my invention, my improved combination artists palette and case therefor in--' cludes a palette having first and second sides, at least the first side thereof being adapted to receive materials thereon for use by an artist. A case adapted to receive the palette for use, storage and transportation is provided; the case including a bottom wall and peripheral side walls. A resilient sealing gasket is fixedly disposed in the case, inwardly of the side walls. The gasket has a peripheral con-. figuration complementary to the periphery of the palette, whereupon placement of the palette in the case, either the first side or the second side of the palette and the gasket are adapted to be in continuous juxtaposition. The palette, the gasket and the case thereby cooperate to form a chamber therebetween.

Means are carried by the case for biasing the palette into sealing relationship with the gasket, thereby rendering the chamber substantially air-tight. When the palette is placed on the case with the first side thereof facing into the chamber thus formed, the air-tight condition of the chamber is effective to retard the drying out and deterioration of any materials remaining on the palette.

Other features and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of my improved artists palette and case therefor;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1, and illustrates various elements of the artists palette and case when the palette is stored in the case;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partial plan view taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2, and illustrates some of the elements of my invention in greater detail;

FIGURE 4 is a partial end sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGURE 1, and illustrates the palette and case when the case is set up on legs and used as a portable table;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 and illustrates how the legs are fastened to the case;

FIGURES 7 and 7a are enlarged partial sectional views taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 5, and illustrate my palette and a cover therefor in two different positions relative to the case;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along the line S8 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of a second embodiment of first embodiment of my invention is illustrated in greater detail, there is seen an improved combination artists palette 1 and case therefor, designated generally by numeral 2.

Palette 1 comprises two sheet metal members 3 and 4. Members 3 and 4 are generally rectangular, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, and include an elevated side 5 and a dished side 6 as shown in FIGURES 2 and 4. Member 4 is formed with an upwardly extending embossment 7 thereon that is spaced inwardly from the peripheral edge 8 thereof. The embossment extends about the entire member and thus defines the dish-shaped working surface 6. Conversely, member 3 is stamped to provide the elevated surface 5 that is raised above its peripheral flange 9.

The peripheral flanges 8 and 9 of members 3 and 4 may be welded together and hermetically sealed and edge trimmed by a non-staining, C-shaped trim member 10, whereby the two members 3 and 4 appear to be an integral, one-piece reversible palette having two usable sides. Members 3 and 4 are preferably surface coated with porcelain, which provides a very reliable, non-staining, non-adhering, easily cleaned, long life surface for all type art mediums. The non-staining trim member 10 that seals the members together also serves to protect the porcelain coated edges of the members from chippage. Trim member 10 also serves as a sealing surface when used in conjunction with case 2 in a manner described in greater detail herebelow.

Palette 1 is adapted to be used with all type art mediums, for example, oil paints, the new acrylic polymers, opaque and transparent water colors, and other similar materials. The sides 5 and 6 of the reversible palette are designed to accommodate the aforementioned art mediums. These mediums, as distinguished by their liquid or flow consistency, are best suited for use on a particular side of the palette. Thus, for example, the paste or nonrunny art mediums, such as oil paints and the acrylics, are more easily worked by the artist during painting, and may easily be removed from the palette when laid out upon the elevated side 5 as illustrated by numeral 45 in FIGURES 2 and 7a. The wet or runny art mediums, such as water colors and colored inks, are more easily worked and contained in the dished area 6 of the palette.

As noted heretofore, one of the primary objects of my invention is to extend the usable time and workability of the various art mediums used by the painter by retarding their normal drying out process. Some of these art mediums, such as the oil and acrylic paints, cannot be restored to use after they have dried out. Thus, in classroom situations, or when painting outdoors or on location, the laying out of a palette of colors and the after painting cleanup is a time consuming and wasteful process, in that those materials placed on the palette may not thereafter be successfully stored.

To provide a hermetic or air-tight chamber in which the palette side having the paint or other materials thereon may be stored while the reverse side thereof is still available for use by the artist, I have developed the palette case 2 for cooperation with palette 1 in the manner described in greater detail herebelow.

Case 2 includes a generally rectangular main body or box portion, which, in the first embodiment, may be formed of sheet metal bent to the configuration shown more clearly in FIGURE 2, wherein the case has a bottom surface 11, an upstanding peripheral wall forming left and right side walls 12 and 13, a bottom wall 14, and a top wall 15. The sheet is further bent to provide the inwardly extending peripheral flange 16 that provides a generally rectangular top surface or frame for the case.

As is readily apparent from the drawings, the case and palette are suitably dimensioned so that the palette may be received within the case for use, storage and transporration. To properly seat the palette within the case for storage in a manner that will insure that one side of the palette is in a substantially air-tight chamber, a continuous peripheral sealing gasket 17 having a sealing surface 18 of substantially the same width as trim member 10 is positioned within case 2. The surface 18 of the gasket is of a peripheral shape complementary to the peripheral configuration of trim member 10 of the palette, so that, upon placing the palette in the case, the trim member 10 and surface 18 are continuously juxtaposed.

To hold gasket 17 in place, there is disposed within the case a generally rectangular member 19 that includes a laterally extending section 20, an upwardly extending section 21, and a second laterally extending section 22. The upwardly extending section 21 provides a shoulder for positioning the cover 46 as explained hereinafter. Member 19 terminates in an upwardly extending flange 23 that is slightly inclined toward the center of the case. Member 19 is held in position by rigidly securing section 20 thereof to the bottom surfaces 11 of the case. An angle member 24 having a lateral leg 25 and an upwardly inclined leg 26 is rigidly secured to the laterally extending section 22 of member 19.

As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 4, legs 25 and 26 of the angle member, and flange 23 of member 19, cooperate to provide a U-shaped channel 27 within which the resilient sealing gasket 17 is disposed. Gasket 17 has a cross sectional configuration complementary to but slightly larger than the channel, so that it is necessary to slightly com-press the gasket when inserting it into the channel. The inclined walls of the channel insure that the gasket is firmly held in position. When the palette is placed in the case, the palette, gasket 17, member 19 and the bottom surface 11 of the case cooperate to provide a chamber 28 therebetween.

The mechanism for firmly holding the palette in position against the gasket, so that chamber 28 is air-tight, will now be described. A handle 29 is fastened to the top wall 15 of the case by any suitable means, such as screws 30 (one only being shown). Interposed between the inside of wall 15 and screw 30 is a spring clamp 31. Clamp 31 includes an inclined section 32 and a laterally extending section 33 disposed parallel to but slightly below the top flange 16 of the case. ,As can beseen from FIGURES 1,

2 and 5, section 33 of the clamp extends inwardly beyond flange 16. To insure that the compartment 28 is as airtight as possible, one edge of the palette trim member is slipped between the laterally extending section 33 and gasket 17. In order to fit the trim member in this space, the gasket must be slightly compressed. Section 33 of the spring clamp continues to urge the palette trim member 10 downwardly against gasket surface 18, thereby establishing a sealmg relationship between one lateral edge of the palette and the gasket.

After the palette is laced in position, suitable movable latching devices, illustrated generally by numeral 34, are rotated over two opposite edges of the palette, whereupon the palette is locked in position about three edges thereof. Referring to FIGURE 4, it will be seen that each latch 34 includes a C-shaped member pivotable between a first closed position (as shown) and a second open position (not shown). The bottom leg 35 of each member 34 is preferably inclined slightly downwardly from the horizontal to thereby wedge trim member 14 against gasket 17 when the latch is rotated to the closed position. Upper leg 36 of member 34 includes an upwardly extending flange 37 thereon that facilitates rotation of the latch.

Each latch 34 is adapted to rotate about the smooth shaft portion 38 of a partially threaded bolt 39. The bolts 39 pass through aligned openings 40 of leg 36, 41 in the upper surface 16 of the case, and 42 in the lower leg 35 (see FIGURE 4). The bolts are held in place by spring clips 43, whereby the bolts are free to rotate, but are prevented from axial movement. While it is only necessary to provide two latch members, four bolts have been provided, for reasons hereafter explained.

T remove the palette from the case, one merely places his thumb against the upwardly extending flange 37 on each latch, and pushes downwardly against the flange to rotate the latch to the open position (counterclockwise for the latch shown in FIGURE 3). The area of the top surface 16 adjacent each latch 34 has a recess 44 formed therein. The recessed area 44 permits the bottom leg 35 of the latch to rotate past trim member 19 of the palette when the latch is moved to the open position, whereupon the edges of the pallette adjacent the latches may be lifted from within the case. The recesses also permit one to insert their finger under the trim member to aid in lifting the palette. The edge of the palette held in position by flange 33 of clamp 31 may then be removed from between the clamp and the gasket, and the entire palette removed from the case. It will be apparent that both latches shown operate in the same manner, but in opposite directions.

When it is desired to store the palette in the case, the reverse procedure is followed. Thus, one edge of the palettet is inserted under the spring clamp, the palette is lowered into the case, and the two latches 34 are rotated to their closed positions. The spring clamp and latches bias the trim member into a sealing relationship with the gasket, thereby rendering the chamber substantially air-tight. Since the trim member 10 is symmetrical, it will, of course, be apparent that the palette can be inserted so that either side or side 6 thereof cooperates with the case to form chamber 28, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 7a. When the reversible palette is latched into place with paint 45 on side 5, the paint is enclosed in the air-tight chamber 28, free from the possibility of soiling articles, or the falling of particles thereon or of insects getting into the paint. This is particularly advantageous for classroom or on location painting. In addition, the hermetic chamber thus formed retards the drying out and deterioration of the paint.

Occasionally, the artist may desire to leave paint on the palette with the intention of returning to work in a short period of time. I have accordingly provided a palette cover 46 that is adapted to fit as a cover over either side 5 or side 6 of the reversible palette. The cover may be made of plastic, and includes a flat surface 47 and an inclined peripheral wall 48 extending therefrom. As can 6 be seen in FIGURES 7 and 7a, the peripheral wall 48 is stepped at 49, whereby the cover can fit over the upwardly extending embossment 7 on the dished side 6 of the palette as shown in FIGURE 7a, and will also rest on the peripheral flange 9 of the elevated side 5 as seen in FIG- URE 7.

It will be observed from FIGURE 7a, that when the palette contains paint 45 on side 5, side 6 may be turned up without the necessity of cleaning side 5. This doubles the total palette surface while preserving the paint on side 5. This feature is particularly useful when using oil and acrylic paints, since their consistency permits them to adhere to the under surface of the palette, as shown in FIGURE 7a, wherein paint 45 is disposed on side 5 and paint 56 is disposed on side 6. It will, of course, be understood that cover 46 may be used with the palette even though the palette is not positioned within the case. In addition, the cover may be inverted and used as a tray for holding articles such as water containers, tubes of paint, etc.

In FIGURES 2, 4 and 6, the cover is shown in a storage position inside the case, where it may be conveniently disposed during painting or when carrying the case between locations. The shoulder provided by section 21 of member 19 is adapted to cooperate with Wall 48 of the cover to prevent the cover from shifting excessively within the case during transportation thereof.

As shown in FIGURE 8, if the case is inverted with cover 46 inside, the air-tight chamber 23 between the case and the palette is reduced in volume by the downward displacement of the cover, and the retention of moisture within the various art mediums is further prolonged.

To complete the description of the case, it will be seen that a number of spacers 51 is secured to the bottom surface 11 of the case by way of screws 52. Spacers 51 serve to position the case a suitable distance above the table or other support means. The spacers are preferably made of any rubber-like material that has a high coefficient of friction, so that the spacers will preclude sliding movement of the case across the table or other support surface.

As seen from FIGURES 1, 3 and 5, case 2 is also designed to accept the handle end of an assortment of artists brushes 53. This is accomplished by providing a series of varying size holes 54 along one side of the top surface 16 of the case, with a similar number of aligned holes 55 in the bottom surface 11. As shown in FIGURE 5, the handle ends of paint brushes 53 are passed through the aligned openings and are thereby held firmly in place. This renders the brushes 53 more accessible for use, and also keeps them from rolling away and soiling. The spacers 51 suificiently elevate the bottom of the case above the underlying support surface to permit the brush ends to pass completely through the case. A number of slots 56 are also provided for receiving the blade end of palette knives 57, to hold them in an accessible position or use.

It will be recalled at this time that one of the objects of my invention was to provide means associated with the palette case for converting the case to a table. In this regard, I have provided the tubular legs 58 that are adapted to be stored in a compartment 59 formed between the bottom wall 14, bottom surface 11, top surface 16 and the upstanding section 23 of member 19, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 8. The legs 53 may be removed from the case by slipping them between gasket 17 and the overlying top flange 16. To facilitate removal of the legs, a finger opening 64 is provided in bottom wall 14.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 6, it is seen that the bottom surface 11 has an opening 61 therethrough in alignment with each opening 41 provided for the threaded bolts 39. When openings 61 are punched, an upturned annular flange 62 that extends into the case is formed.

When the artist desires to set the palette ease up as a table, the legs 58 are removed from compartment 59 in V Z the case. The threaded end 63 of each leg is then inserted into an opening 61 in the bottom of the case until it engages the bottom of the threaded bolt 39, whereupon the bolts are rotated by means of the knurled knob 64 at the top thereof until the leg is fully drawn into place, as shown in FIGURE 6. The upturned annular flange 62 surrounding each opening helps to align the leg with the bolt when the leg is first inserted into opening 61. When all four legs have been fastened in the above manner, the palette case is usable as a table as shown in FIGURE 5. It will, of course, be understood that instead of bolting the legs into place, a friction-fit may be employed.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 9 through 12, the relationship of palette 1A to case 2A is virtually identical to that of the first embodiment, however, the materials and process by which palette 1A and case 2A are made differs substantially from that of the embodiment heretofore described.

In the first embodiment, the palette 1 was made of two separate members, 3 and 4, that were welded together along their peripheral flanges 8 and 9. However, palette 1A of the second embodiment is made of a single piece of metal 65, formed to the dished configuration shown in FIGURE 11. In this instance, side 66 of palette 1A functions in the identical manner as does side 6 of palette 1 The reverse side 67 of palette 1A is elevated when the palette is inverted as shown in FIGURE 10, thereby eliminating the need for a separate member having an elevated surface thereon.

Palette 1A has a peripheral flange 68 thereabout that is encased by a C-shaped trim member 69 in the same manner that trim member surrounds flanges 8 and 9 of palette 1. The metal sheet from which palette 1A is formed is preferably surface coated with porcelain.

As in the first embodiment, trim member 69 is adapted to cooperate with a resilient sealing gasket 70 peripherally disposed within case 2A, for the purpose of forming an air-tight chamber 71. Case 2A however, unlike case 2, is comprised of two members, 72 and 73, which may be injected molded or vacuum formed out of a suitable plastic material, and fastened together at intermediate points.

The top half 72 includes means molded integral therewith providing a U-shaped channel 74 adapted to receive gasket 70. The bottom half 73 provides the bottom wall 73A for the case, and includes a number of downwardly extending annular embossments 75 formed thereon that provide seats for spacers 76. The upper half 72 has matching embossments 77 formed thereon, and the spacers 76 include a threaded shaft 78 adapted to pass through embossments 75 and 77. A nut 79 is threaded onto each shaft 78, whereby the upper and lower halves 72 and 73 are fastened together.

To provide the biasing means for maintaining tr-im member 69 in sealing relationship with gasket 70, there is provided one or more (two being shown) spring clamps 80 disposed along one internal wall 81 of the case. The spring clamps include a first leg 82 that is fastened to wall 81 by way of clips 83. Clamps 88 include a laterally extending leg 84 that extends over the trim member 69 when the palette is in the case. The end of leg 84 may be curved upwardly as shown at 85 in FIGURE 11, thereby facilitating insertion of the palette thereunder. The clamps are fastened to the side wall 81 of the upper half 72 before the two halves are fastened together.

As in the first embodiment, rotatable latching means, indicated generally by numeral 86, are provided to bias additional edges of the palette into sealing relationship with gasket 70. Referring to FIGURE 12, upper half 72 includes a recessed seat 87 formed integral with the top surface thereof. The lower half 73 has an upwardly ex-v tending cylindrical section 88 formed therein, the upper end 89 of which abuts seat 87 of the upper half of the case.

The latche means comprises an engaging means'9il and an actuating member 91 therefor that is integral there- (a with and perpendicular thereto. The actuating member 91 extends through an opening 92 in the base of seat 87 and an opening 93 in the upper end 89 of the cylindrical embossment 88 in the lower half of the case. A finger detent 94 is slipped over the end of the actuating member, and disposed between the finger detent 94 and the upper end of embossment 88 is a compression spring 95.

Spring 95 normally biases the finger detent 94 and engaging means 90 downwardly against trim member 69. Since the recessed seat 87 precludes rotational movement of the engaging means, palette 1A is firmly held in place. To remove the palette, one presses upwardly on the finger detent 94, thereby overcoming the force of spring 95, and then proceeds to rotate the finger detent and thus the engaging means to the open position. Depression of the finger detent raises the engaging means above the recessed seat, so that it is free to rotate, whereupon the palette maybe removed from the case. Additional recesses 96 are provided so that one may slip their finger under the trim member to east removal of the palette.

To complete the description of the second embodiment, it will be observed from FIGURES 9 and 10 that each half 72 and 73 includes a substantially rectangular opening having walls 97 therethrough that is adjacent one edge thereof. When the halves are fastened together, the opening walls 97 abut to provide a handle 98 that is formed integral with the case. Apertures 99 are also provided to receive the ends of paint brushes as in the first embodiment.

Also as in the first embodiment, a cover 100 is provided. Cover may be used with palette 1A when either side 66 or 67 thereof is being used, as shown by the dashed lines in FIGURES 10 and 11. Again, cover 100 is usable with the palette even though the palette is not in the case. Cover 100 may be stored between the palette and case during transportation or when using the palette, as shown in FIGURES 10 and 11.

interposed between the outer peripheral wall of the upper and lower halves is an H-shaped resilient member 101. Member 101 protects the outer peripheral wall from extensive damage during transportation of the case.

In this second embodiment, I have chosen not to provide removable legs. Instead, this embodiment may be made more compact and lightweight, as a result of the change in materials and the use of a single metal member for the palette.

Other possibilities not shown in the drawings, but contemplated for use with the cases herein described, would' include magnetic means to replace the spring clamps and latches. An additional area could be appended to the case to contain painting materials or other accessories.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have provided an improved combination reversible palette and case therefor. A palette case constructed in accordance with my disclosure provides the artist with a highly utilitarian device, in which paint may be stored for periods of time, without needlessly removing it from the palette after each use. In addition to storage, both sides of the palette are usable, thereby doubling the effective area of the palette.

While there has been described what we are at present thought to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claimr 1. A combination artistss palette and case therefor, comprising: V

(a) a palette having first and second opposite sides, at least said first side thereof being adapted to receive materials thereon for use by an artists; (b) a case adapted to receive said palette for use, storage and transportation, said case including a bottom surface and a peripheral side wall;

(c) a resilient sealing gasket fixedly disposed in said case inwardly of said side wall;

(d) said gasket having a peripheral configuration complementary to the periphery of said palette, whereupon placement of said palette in said case, said palette and said gasket are adapted to be in continuous juxtaposition, with said palette, said gasket and said case thereby cooperating to form a chamber therebetween; and

(e) means carried by said case for biasing said palette into sealing relationship with said gasket and thereby rendering said chamber substantially a r-tight, whereupon placement of said palette in said case with said first side thereof facing into said chamber, the air-tight condition achieved thereby is effective to retard the drying out and deterioration of any materials remaining thereon.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said second side of said palette is also adapted to receive materials thereon for use by an artist, whereby said palette may be placed in said case with either said first side or second side thereof adapted to cooperate with said gasket to provide said air-tight chamber, While said opposite side thereof remains available for use by the artist.

'3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said first side of said palette has a dish-shaped configuration and said second side of said palette has an elevated configuration.

4. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said palette comprises:

(a) a single sheet-like member having first and second material receiving surfaces on opposite sides thereof;

(b) a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from said first material receiving surface;

(c) said side wall terminating in an outwardly extending flat peripheral flange parallel to said first material receiving surface, said first surface being spaced below said peripheral flange, there-by providing a dish-shaped configuration, and upon inversion of said member, said second material receiving surface thereof being spaced above said peripheral flange, thereby providing an elevated surface complementary to said dished surface; and

(d) peripheral trim means encasing said peripheral flange, said trim means having symmetrical surfaces on both sides of said flange and a peripheral configuration complementary to the peripheral configuration of said gasket, whereupon placement of said member in said case with either said first or second material receiving surfaces thereof forming said chamber, said trim means and said gasket are adapted to be in continuous juxtaposition.

5. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said palette comprises? (a) a first sheet-like member having an upwardly extending continuous embossment thereon, said em-t bossment being spaced inwardly from the periphery of said member, whereby said embossment and the area of said sheet-like member circumscribed thereby provide a first, dish-shaped material receiving surface, while the area of said sheet-like member exteriorly of said embossment provides a first substantially flat peripheral flange;

(b) a second sheet-like mem ber comprising a second material receiving surface on one side thereof; a peripheral side wall extending downwardly from said second material receiving surface; said side wall terminating in a second outwardly extending flat flange having a periphery identical to said first peripheral flange of said first member, said second material receiving surface being elevated relative to said second flange;

(c) said first and second members being rigidly fastened together to form an integral unit having first and second material receiving surfaces on opposite sides thereof; and

(d) peripheral trim means encasing .both of said peripheral flanges, said trim means having symmetrical surfaces on both sides of said flange and a peripheral configuration complementary to the peripheral configuration of said gasket, whereupon placement of said member in said case With either said first or second material receiving surface thereof forming said chamber, said trim means and said gasket are adapted to be in continuous juxtaposition.

6. The combination according to claim 1 further including a cover for said palette, said cover having a peripheral configuration complementary to but smaller than said gasket, whereby said cover may be stored within said chamber formed by the placement of said palette in said case.

7. The combination according to claim 1 further in cluding a plurality of legs adapted to be detachably connected to said case for supporting said case at a suitable elevation for use; and means defining a storage compartment within said case for storing said legs when said legs are detached from said case.

8. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said bias-ing means includes:

(a) at least one spring clamp fixedly disposed on said case, said clamp having a section thereof overlying said gasket; said section and said gasket being spaced such that upon insertion of one edge of said palette there-between, said section forces said edge of said palette downwardly into sealing relationship with said gasket; and

(b) at least one latch means supported by said case and peripherally spaced from said spring clamp,

said latch means being rotatably mounted for movement between a closed position, wherein said latch means engages a peripherally spaced edge of said palette, and an open position, wherein said latch means is disengaged from said palette; said latch means further including means operatively associated therewith for biasing said peripherally spaced edge of said palette downwardly against said gasket when said latch means is rotated to the closed position.

9 The combination according to claim 8 wherein said latch means comprises a generally C-shaped member, the lower leg of said member being downwardly inclined, whereupon rotation of said member to the closed position, said lower leg thereof is effective to wedge said peripherally spaced edge of said palette against said gasket.

10. The combination according to claim 8 wherein:

(a) said latch means comprises:

(i) an engaging means rotatable between said open and closed positions; and (ii) actuating means extending from said engag- 55 ing means for rotating said engaging means; and

(b) said biasing means comprises spring means operatively associated with said actuating means for normally biasing said actuating means and thereby said engaging means downwardly, whereupon rotation of said engaging means to said closed position, said spring means causes said engaging means to bias said peripherally spaced edge of said palette into sealing relationship with said gasket.

11. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said 65 case comprises a generally rectangular body, including:

(a) a relatively flat bottom surface;

(b) an upstanding peripheral wall forming left and right side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall;

(c) a peripheral flange. extending inwardly from said upstanding peripheral wall, said flange providing a generally rectangular top surface for said case;

(d) means defining a continuous, generally U-shaped channel fixedly disposed in said case; said means being located below said flange forming said top surface and inwardly thereof, said channel having an outer 1 l periphery complementary to the periphery of said palette; and

(e) said resilient sealing gasket being disposed in said channel, whereupon placement of said palette on said gasket, said palette, said gasket, said channel and said flat bottom surface cooperate to provide said chamber therebetween.

12. The combination according to claim 11 wherein said case further includes at least one opening in said top surface, and an aligned opening in said bottom surface, said aligned openings being adapted to receive the handle end of a paint brush to thereby maintain said brush perpendicular to said case.

13. The combination according to claim 11 wherein said case comprises a metal member formed to provide said bottom surface, upstanding peripheral wall, and peripheral flange forming said top surface.

14. The combination according to claim 11 wherein said case comprises complementary upper and lower members formed of a plastic material; said upper member including means formed integral therewith for providing said U-shaped channel; and fastening means for rigidly fastening said upper and lower members together to thereby provide a unitary case.

15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein said upper and lower members have substantially rectangular aligned openings therethrough adjacent one side wall thereof, whereupon fastening said upper and lower members together, said aligned openings and said side wall cooperate to provide a handle for said case.

16. A combination artists palette and case therefor, comprising:

(a) an artists palette having first and second material receiving surfaces on opposite sides thereof;

(i) said first material receiving surface having a dished configuration; (ii) said second material receiving surface having an elevated configuration;

(b) said palette having a peripheral flange thereabout;

(c) trim means encasing said peripheral flange;

(d) means comprising a case for said palette, including:

(i) a bottom surface;

(ii) an upstanding peripheral wall;

(iii) a peripheral flange extending inwardly from said upstanding wall, said flange providing a top surface for said case;

(e) a continuous, generally U-shaped channel means fixedly disposed in said case; said channel means being located below said flange forming said top surface and inwardly thereof; said channel means having an outer periphery complementary to said trim means of said palette;

(f) a resilient sealing gasket disposed in said channel means, whereupon placement of said palette in said case, said trim means and said gasket are adapted to be in continuous juxtposition, with said palette, said gasket, said channel means and said bottom surface cooperating to provide a chamber therebetween; and

g) means carried by said case for biasing said trim means into sealing relationship with said gasket and thereby rendering said chamber substantially airtight, whereupon placement of said palette in said case with either said first or second side thereof facing into said chamber, the air-tight condition achieved thereby is effective to retard the drying out and deterioration of any materials remaining on said first or second side, while said opposite side thereof remains available for use by the artist.

17. The combination according to claim 16 wherein said palette comprises:

(a) a single sheet-like member having first and second material receiving surfaces on opposite sides thereof;

12 V (b) a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from said first material receiving surface;

(c) said side wall terminating in an outwardly extending flat peripheral flange parellel to said first material receiving surface, said first surface being spaced below said peripheral flange, thereby providing a dishedshaped configuration, and upon inversion of said member, said second material receiving surface thereof being spaced above said peripheral flange, thereby providing an elevated surface complementary to said dished surface; and V (d) said peripheral trim means encasing said peripheral flange having symmetrical surfaces on both sides of said flange and a peripheral configuration complementary to the peripheral configuration of said gasket, whereupon placement of said member in said case with either said first or second material receiving surface thereof forming said chamber, said trim means and said gasket are adapted to be in continu-t ous juxtaposition.

18. The combination according to claim 16 wherein said palette comprises:

(a) a first sheet-like member having an upwardly extending continuous embossment thereon, said embossment being spaced inwardly from the periphery of said member, whereby said embossment and the area of said sheet-like member circumscribed thereby provide a first, dish-shaped material receiving surface, while the area of said sheet-like member exteriorly of said embossment provides a first substantially flat peripheral flange;

(b) a second sheet-like member comprising a second material receiving surface on one side thereof; a peripheral side wall extending downwardly from said second material receiving surface; said side wall terminating in a second outwardly extending flat flange having a periphery identical to said first peripheral flange of said first member, said second material receiving surface being elevated relative to said second flange;

(c) said first and second members being rigidly fastened together to form an integral unit having first and second material receiving surfaces on opposite sides thereof; and v (d) said peripheral trim means encases both of said peripheral flanges, said trim means having symmetrical surfaces on both sides of said flange and a peripheral configuration complementary to the peripheral configuration of said gasket, whereupon placement of said member in said case with either said first or second material receiving surface thereof forming said chamber, said trim means and said gasket are adapted to be in continuous juxtaposition.

19. The combination according to claim 16 further including acover for said palette, said cover having a substantially dish-shaped configuration, the periphery of said cover being complementary to but less than the inner periphery of said U-shaped channel, whereby said cover is adapted to be stored within said chamber formed by the placement of said palette in said case.

20. The combination according to claim 16 further including a plurality of legs adapted to be detachably connected to said case for supporting said case at a suitable elevation for use; said channel means and said upstanding peripheral wall cooperating to define a storage compartment therebetween for storing said legs when said legs are detached from said case.

21. The combination according to claim 16 wherein said biasing means includes:

(a) at least one spring clamp fixedly disposed on said case, said clamp having a section thereof overlying said gasket; said section and said gasket being spaced such that upon insertion of one edge of said palette therebetween, said section forces said edge of said palette downwardly into sealing relationship with said gasket; and

(b) at least one latch means supported by said case and peripherally spaced from said spring clamp, said latch means being rotatably mounted for movement between a closed position, wherein said latch means engages a peripherally spaced edge of said palette, and an open position, wherein said latch means is disengaged from said palette; said latch means further including means operatively associated therewith for biasing said peripherally spaced edge of said palette downwardly against said gasket when said latch means is rotated to the closed position.

22. The combination according to claim 21 wherein said latch means comprises a generally C-shape-d mem ber, the lower leg of said member being downwardly inclined, whereupon rotation of said member to the closed position, said lower leg thereof is effective to wedge said peripherally spaced edge of said palette against said gasket.

23. The combination according to claim 21 wherein:

(a) said latch means comprises:

(i) an engaging means rotatable between said open and closed positions; and

(ii) actuating means extending from said engaging means for rotating said engaging means; and

(b) said biasing means comprises spring means operatively associated with said actuating means for normally biasing said actuating means and thereby said engaging means downwardly, whereupon rotation of said engaging means to said closed position, said spring means causes said engaging means to bias said peripherally spaced edge of said palette into sealing relationship with said gasket.

24. The combination according to claim 16 wherein said case further includes at least one opening in said top surface, and an aligned opening in said bottom surface, said aligned openings being adapted to receive the handle end of a paint brush to thereby maintain said brush perpendicular to said case.

25. The combination according to claim 16 wherein said case comprises a sheet metal member formed to provide said bottom surface, upstanding peripheral Wall, and peripheral flange forming said top surface.

26. The combination according to claim 16 wherein said case comprises complementary upper and lower members formed of a plastic material; said upper member including means formed integral therewith for providing said U-shaped channel; and fastening means for rigidly fastening said upper and lower members together to thereby provide a unitary case.

27. The combination according to claim 26 wherein said upper and lower members have substantially rectangular aligned openings therethrough adjacent one side wall thereof, whereupon fastening said upper and lower members together, said aligned openings and said side wall cooperate to provide a handle for said case.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,515,703 7/1950 Dumas 2061.7 2,583,532 1/1952 Havens 312231 2,586,524 2/1952 Dussardier 312-23 1 2,638,397 5/1953 Wykoff 312-231 3,031,247 4/1962 Schieve 312231 3,167,177 1/1965 Lewis 2061.7

CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION ARTISTS''S PALETTE AND CASE THEREFOR, COMPRISING: (A) A PALETTE HAVING FIRST AND SECOND OPPOSITE SIDES, AT LEAST SAID FIRST SIDE THEREOF BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE MATERIALS THEREON FOR USE BY AN ARTISTS; (B) A CASE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID PALETTE FOR USE, STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION, SAID CASE INCLUDING A BOTTOM SURFACE AND A PERIPHERAL SIDE WALL; (C) A RESILIENT SEALING GASKET FIXEDLY DISPOSED IN SAID CASE INWARDLY OF SAID SIDE WALL; (D) SAID GASKET HAVING A PERIPHERAL CONFIGURATION COMPLEMENTARY TO THE PERIPHERY OF SAID PALETTE, WHEREUPON PLACEMENT OF SAID PALETTE IN SAID CASE, SAID PALETTE AND SAID GASKET ARE ADAPTED TO BE IN CONTINUOUS JUXTAPOSITION, WITH SAID PALETTE, SAID GASKET AND SAID CASE THEREBY COOPERATING TO FORM A CHAMBER THEREBETWEEN; AND (E) MEANS CARRIED BY SAID CASE FOR BIASING SAID PALETTE INTO SEALING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID GASKET AND THEREBY RENDERING SAID CHAMBER SUBSTANTIALLY AIR-TIGHT, WHEREUPON PLACEMENT OF SAID PALETTE IN SAID CASE WITH SAID FIRST SIDE THEREOF FACING INTO SAID CHAMBER, THE AIR-TIGHT CONDITION ACHIEVED THEREBY IS EFFECTIVE TO RETARD THE DRYING OUT AND DETERIORATION OF ANY MATERIALS REMAINING THEREON. 